Rumour Roundup: Flames looking for speed, toughness as deadline approaches

The All-Star Break is in the rear-view mirror and it’s time for the National Hockey League playoff races to heat up. As the playoffs get closer, so does the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Here’s a brief snapshot of what’s being said regarding the Calgary Flames and the upcoming roster deadline.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek briefly discuss Calgary’s potential interest in New York Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello on the latest edition of their 31 Thoughts podcast.

Zuccarello, 31, carries a $4.5 million cap hit for this season and is a pending unrestricted free agent. He has eight goals and 24 points in 2018-19.

In a radio hit on Ottawa’s TSN 1200, TSN and The Athletic columnist Pierre LeBrun shared his thoughts on what the Flames might be looking for prior to the trade deadline. As many have, LeBrun linked the Flames to Carolina Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland (via Nichols on Hockey):

Ferland, 26, makes $1.75 million this season and is another pending UFA. He has 13 goals and 25 points this season with the Hurricanes.

LeBrun said he seems the Flames being aggressive, and noted that they were close to getting Ryan Reaves last summer – potentially an indication that they’d like a bit more size, snarl or toughness as they head into the meat grinder that is the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Our friends at TSN have been posting short video updates on many NHL’s clubs in their TradeCentre War Room.

In their latest update, Frank Seravalli and Craig Button link the Flames to Ferland, Ottawa Senators forward Ryan Dzingel and Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist. Dzingel, 26, makes $1.8 million this season and becomes a UFA on July 1. He has 20 goals and 38 points for the Senators this season. Nyquist, 29, makes $4.75 million this season, has a no-trade clause, and also becomes a UFA on July 1. He’s produced consistently (11 goals and 43 points) on a very lean Red Wings squad, and he’d likely be a big help providing the Flames with secondary scoring.

For what it’s worth, Ottawa-area reporter Kevin Vallee reported a couple weeks back that the Flames have chatted with the Senators regarding Dzingel. The asking price was reportedly a bit rich for the Flames – for now – but keep it in mind.

The Flames are a potent offensive team, but it’s probably no shock that they’re being linked to several players that could provide them with secondary offensive help on the wings. Their first line seems locked in, but every other line can probably use a bit of offensive oomph once the postseason begins. Zuccarello, in particular, could be a nice fit as he brings a mixture of speed, skill and snarl to the wing.

The locals are definitely kicking tires on some roster additions, but what those upgrades could cost will ultimately determine what they do prior to the 1 p.m. MT deadline on Feb. 25. The likely asking price right now for anything of significance is a first round pick and a prospect.